SO WHICH TENTS ARE WELCOME? - As royal wedding fans pitch up, peace campaigners move closer to eviction
Published: 29 April 2011
by JOSH LOEB
HUNDREDS of royalists were this morning (Friday) sleeping under canvas in the heart of Westminster – but inhabitants of a nearby camp are under pressure to pack up their tents.
Visitors from as far afield as Canada, Australia and the United States pitched up opposite Westminster Abbey this week in the hope of catching a glimpse of Prince William and Kate Middleton as campaigners at Brian Haw’s “peace camp”, just yards from the Abbey, fear imminent eviction. At Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday, solicitor Raj Chada said the activists were witnessing “what could be the dying days of this protest,” which has been running since 2001. He was speaking in defence of Brenda Williams, a “protest poet” from St John’s Wood charged with criminal damage to fencing erected beside the camp by the Greater London Authority.
Ms Williams, 62, pleaded guilty and was granted a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation, meaning she is free to return to Parliament Square.
Mr Haw is currently in Germany receiving treatment for cancer. Earlier this month friends manning his tent were ordered by a judge to move from the grass area of the square to the surrounding pavement.
Next month lawyers from Westminster Council will go to the High Court in a bid to have the tents, described by council leader Colin Barrow as a “blight”, removed completely.
In contrast, the council is taking what an insider described as a “relaxed” approach to the royal wedding enthusiasts, some of whom have been sleeping in tents on the streets of Westminster since Monday.
They include “super fan” John Loughrey, who in 2008 camped outside the inquest into the death of Princess Diana. He has written “Diana” and “Dodi” on his face and says he is avoiding drinking water so as not to have to leave his pitch to go to the toilet.
Flag-waving Debbie Fulloger, who travelled to the capital from Dartford, called the atmosphere in the camp “fantastic”.
She added: “It’s great. Britain always pulls through.”
A City Hall spokeswoman said the council had set no timetable for when the royalists had to dismantle their tents, adding: “I would be surprised if they continue to remain there after the couple depart from the Abbey.”
Police are on high alert and there is a huge security presence throughout the city. Westminster Council says it is working with the police and has advised the monarchists to fold up their tents during the day to ensure maximum space on the pavement.
Where the parties are:
DOZENS of street parties are taking place throughout Westminster today (Friday) for the royal wedding celebrations.
Shindigs and family events are taking over as residents break out the bunting for Kate and Wills’ big day.
The council said 41 such occasions have been registered with City Hall, along with 11 “commercial” events.
Moor Street and Greek Street in Soho are closed from 7am and there are wedding-themed parties taking place at nearby Bar Code in Archer Street and The Admiral Duncan on Old Compton Street.
Doughty Mews in Bloomsbury is closed from 3pm for a public barbecue and the nearby Duke will stage a “Friday I’m in Love” singalong evening.
Clarence Gate Gardens, off Melcombe Street, Marylebone, is closed for a private party from 1pm.
Other streets holding parties include Rupert Street and Winnett Street in Soho.
A Republican street party is taking place in Red Lion Square, Holborn, from 11.30am.
• A different kind of celebration will take place in Little Venice from tomorrow (Saturday) until Monday. The annual Canalway Cavalcade is set to attract 150 narrowboats from across the country. The event has been a feature since 1983. There will be music, food stalls and kayaking from 10am-5pm daily.